Because life’s too short for boring tea and dry scones.

If you’re heading to London — or even just daydreaming about it from your sofa — there’s one sacred ritual you simply must partake in: afternoon tea.

But here’s the thing: while the classic spots are worth the hype (hello, scones and clotted cream 🥰), London also hides some enchanting, unexpected tea experiences you won’t find splashed all over TikTok.

I’ve rounded up 10 of my absolute favorite afternoon teas — a mix of the iconic, the quirky, and the delightfully hidden. Bring your appetite… and maybe some stretchy pants. 😉

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1. Claridge’s — The Grand Dame of Afternoon Tea

If Buckingham Palace served afternoon tea to the public, it would probably look like this. Claridge’s is the definition of London elegance — Art Deco interiors, white-glove service, and perfectly steeped teas. ☕

📍 Brook Street, Mayfair, London W1K 4HR, UK
📞 +44 20 7629 8860
🌐 claridges.co.uk

This is perfect if you enjoy: timeless glamour, impeccable service, and feeling like royalty for a few hours. 👑

Why I love it: Every detail is flawless — even the butter is served at the perfect spreadable temperature. Dreams.

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2. Sketch — Afternoon Tea with Artistic Flair

Once famous for its pink velvet Gallery room, Sketch recently unveiled a stunning makeover — think warm yellows, copper tones, and bold contemporary art. 🎨 It’s still dreamy, still iconic, just with a fresh, sophisticated twist. And the afternoon tea menu? Still absolutely unforgettable.

📍 9 Conduit Street, Mayfair, London W1S 2XG, UK
📞 +44 20 7659 4500
🌐 sketch.london

This is perfect if you enjoy: creative design, Michelin-starred pastries, and a tea experience that feels like stepping into a living art gallery.

Why I love it: Every inch of Sketch is a feast for the senses — from the teacups to the toilets (seriously, you have to see them 🚀).

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3. Highness Café & Tea Room — Local Charm in Islington

Tucked away on a quiet street in Islington, Highness Café feels like one of those places you only discover if a local tells you about it (so… you’re welcome 😉). It’s cozy, inviting, and packed with charm — from vintage teacups to their fresh-baked cakes made daily.

📍 36 Highbury Park, Highbury, London N5 2AA, UK
📞 +44 20 7354 2126
🌐 highnesscafe.co.uk

This is perfect if you enjoy: relaxed neighborhood vibes, homemade bakes, and a proper cup of tea without the fuss.

Why I love it: It feels like sitting in your stylish friend’s living room — if your friend also made the best carrot cake in London. 🫖🍰.

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4. Fortnum & Mason — The Quintessential British Experience

This isn’t just tea; it’s a pilgrimage. The Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon inside Fortnum’s iconic department store serves old-school elegance with every perfect pour. 🫖

📍 181 Piccadilly, St. James’s, London W1A 1ER, UK
📞 +44 20 7734 8040
🌐 fortnumandmason.com

This is perfect if you enjoy: classic British charm, multi-tiered tea stands, and serious tradition. 🎩

Why I love it: It’s like having tea with the Queen… if she were also an expert in shopping.

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5. Brigit’s Bakery — Afternoon Tea on a Double-Decker Bus

Tea on the move? Yes, please. 🚍 Brigit’s Bakery combines sightseeing and snacking with their London Afternoon Tea Bus Tour. Think finger sandwiches while cruising past Big Ben.

📍 6-7 Chandos Place, Covent Garden, London WC2N 4HU, UK
📞 +44 20 3026 1188
🌐 b-bakery.com

This is perfect if you enjoy: sightseeing, quirky adventures, and tea with a side of London landmarks.

Why I love it: You get your fill of scones and selfies, all in one delicious afternoon. 📸

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6. Tea House Theatre — Steeped in Stories, Not Hype

Hidden in the heart of Vauxhall’s old Victorian quarter, Tea House Theatre feels like a little pocket of London where time slows down. Locals pop in for a quiet pot of loose-leaf tea, homemade cakes, and real conversation — or to catch a poetry night, chess game, or fireside chat. It’s cozy, unpretentious, and effortlessly cool in that London doesn’t try to impress you kind of way.

📍 139 Vauxhall Walk, Vauxhall, London SE11 5HL, UK
📞 +44 20 7207 2029
🌐 teahousetheatre.co.uk

This is perfect if you enjoy: mismatched teacups, locally baked treats, literary vibes, and the feeling of discovering a well-loved neighborhood secret. 📚

Why I love it: It’s not trying to be quirky — it just is. And you might leave with a new favorite tea and a new friend. ☕

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7. The Wolseley — Old-World Glamour

Steps from the Ritz but somehow cooler, The Wolseley brings classic European café culture to London. ✨ Their scones? Flawless. Their vibe? Effortlessly chic.

📍 160 Piccadilly, St. James’s, London W1J 9EB, UK
📞 +44 20 7499 6996
🌐 thewolseley.com

This is perfect if you enjoy: elegant café culture, timeless style, and breakfast that rolls into afternoon tea.

Why I love it: It’s impossibly sophisticated — but somehow still feels like a neighborhood favorite.

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8. Petersham Nurseries — Garden Tea Dreamland

Escape the city buzz without leaving London. 🍃 At Petersham Nurseries in Richmond, tea is served amid fragrant blooms, fairy lights, and rustic charm. It’s like a secret garden party, but with better cake.

📍 Church Lane, Off Petersham Road, Richmond, Surrey TW10 7AB, UK
📞 +44 20 8940 5230
🌐 petershamnurseries.com

This is perfect if you enjoy: lush gardens, rustic-chic vibes, and a slice of nature with your tea.

Why I love it: It’s utterly magical — like being inside a botanical daydream. 🌿

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9. POSTCARD Teas — A Tiny Temple to Leaf Lovers

Just a stone’s throw from Bond Street, this tiny, quietly legendary shop is not your average tea room — it’s a sanctuary for true tea lovers. No fuss, no gimmicks — just rare, single-estate teas sourced directly from small farms, served in beautiful handmade teaware at their serene tasting table. 🫖 It’s part gallery, part shop, part meditative moment in the middle of Mayfair.

📍 9 Dering Street, Mayfair, London W1S 1AG, UK
📞 +44 20 7629 3654
🌐 postcardteas.com

This is perfect if you enjoy: deeply sourced teas, quiet moments, and the kind of place that makes you fall in love with tea all over again.

Why I love it: It’s not performative — it’s soulful. You go to POSTCARD to feel something, not to take a selfie. 🌿

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10. Dean Street Townhouse — Cool, Cozy, and Classic

Tucked into Soho, this is where you go when you want tea without too much fuss — but still with all the flavor. 🫶 A cozy spot where you can linger for hours over buttery scones.

📍 69-71 Dean Street, Soho, London W1D 3SE, UK
📞 +44 20 7434 1775
🌐 deanstreettownhouse.com

This is perfect if you enjoy: cozy atmospheres, low-key luxury, and good conversation over tea.

Why I love it: It feels like London’s best-kept secret — stylish but completely unpretentious.

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Final Sip

Whether you’re living your best royal fantasy at Claridge’s, nibbling designer pastries at The Berkeley, or finding your secret garden moment at Petersham Nurseries, London proves there’s a cup (and a cake 🍰) for every kind of tea lover.

Pro tip: Always say yes to the clotted cream. Always.